LCAA baseball teams ready for season

Below are season previews for local Lenawee County Athletic Association baseball teams.

BLISSFIELD: The 2013 season was a rare one for Blissfield’s baseball team. The Royals posted their first losing season since 1971 and did not win the LCAA for the first time in 19 seasons.

This year’s Blissfield squad is young with only two seniors, but returns 14 letterwinners that gained experience as freshmen and sophomores.

“We expect to compete as losing the league after 19 consecutive championships last year,” Blissfield coach Larry Tuttle said. “The tradition is still alive, and this group is looking forward to the challenge of continuing it.”

"Our seniors are a great group of kids who have had success in their high school careers," Hudson coach Jeremy Beal said. "So far, they have provided excellent leadership. If we can take care of the little things, we should have the opportunity to have an excellent season."

ONSTED: The Wildcats feature a young roster with three seniors leading the squad.

Seniors Ben Pickford (center field), Justin Jordan (outfield) and Austin Lewandowski (utility) will provide leadership for the younger players. Junior first baseman Jake Jones is another player to watch for Onsted.

Last season, the Wildcats finished 8-22 overall (1-13 LCAA).

“We have a few upperclassmen on a predominantly sophomore-freshman-dominated roster, but luckily the few seniors that we do have are hard workers and show good leadership skills,” Onsted coach Matt Randall said. “As always, you can expect our baseball program to respect the game, our opponents and always play hard regardless of how young our roster is. As the roster changes, that philosophy never will.”